Sodium Cromoglycate

Registered South African indications:

• Allergic conjunctivitis

Contraindications

South African recommendations & Recommendations in other jurisdictions

• Hypersensitivity to sodium cromoglycate, benzalkonium chloride or to any of the excipients

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Concomitant use of soft contact lenses
• Extensive ocular surface disease

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: opd

Dosages below include:

• South African registered indications and dosages

South African registered indications and dosages

Prevention and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis

• Ophthalmic (opd): 1-2 drops into each eye(s), 4 times daily

It is important that the regular administration of sodium cromoglycate is maintained in the prevention and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis as therapy is essentially prophylactic

The solution should be discarded 1 month after first opening the bottle or if any turbidity develops

Patients should also be instructed that ocular solutions, if handled improperly can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. Patients should also be advised that if they develop any intercurrent ocular condition (e.g. trauma, ocular surgery or infection), they should immediately seek their medical practitioner’s advice concerning the continued use of sodium cromoglycate. There have been reports of baterial keratitis associated with the use of topical ophthalmic products

See adult dosage

Pregnancy

• Caution
• Cromoglicic acid should be used cautiously during pregnancy. The widespread use of sodium cromoglycate has yet to reveal any adverse effects to mother or child during pregnancy

Breastfeeding

• Caution
• It is not known whether sodium cromoglycate is excreted in human breast milk but on the basis of its physicochemical properties, this is considered unlikely. There is no information to suggest that the use of sodium cromoglycate has any undesirable effects on the baby

Renal Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not porphyrinogenic (NP)

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Hypersensitivity reactions

Sensory Disorders

• Transient stinging and burning
• Local irritation

No information available

None routine. Specific cases may require

• Ophthalmic examination

Cromoglicic acid inhibits the release of allergy mediators by stabilising the membranes of sensitised mast cells.

Eye drops (per ml) 20mg

• Bausch & Lomb Vividrin Eye Drops (Soflens) originator
• Stop-Allerg Eye Drops (Genop)
• Cromohexal Eye Drops (Sandoz)

Also available in the following form: Nasal spray.